When Christine Minich needs bolstering with her leadership positions, she thinks of Al Franken’s motto from fictional character Stuart Smalley, who said, “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough — and doggone it, people like me.”
Minich, who was honored as the 2017 YWCA Leader at the 20th annual YWCA Leader Luncheon, spoke of the rewards and challenges of her community work during Tuesday’s Leader Luncheon at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. The program, which also named Bryn Manion as the 2017 YWCA Young Leader, was attended by approximately 145 people.
Each year, the YWCA Bradford recognizes adult women and young women who have demonstrated leadership qualities and made a difference in the lives of women and girls in McKean County.
The luncheon opened with the Walk of Honor event which lauded former YWCA honorees as they filed through the Mukaiyama Room at Pitt-Bradford.
During her presentation, Minich said the comedy depiction of Smalley on Saturday Night Live episodes by Franken (he’s now a U.S. senator from Minnesota) helped her outlook on leadership roles in the community.
“Leadership is not a popularity contest,” Minich explained. “In fact, leadership oftentimes CHECK challenging relationships when hard conversations occur.”
Minich said the recognition she received at the luncheon “eases the pain of having made” hard decisions as a leader. An administrative employee at Zippo Manufacturing Co., Minich has held leadership roles with the Bradford Area Public Library and its Early Children’s Literacy Center, Bradford Creative and Performing Arts Center, the Era’s Less Fortunate Fund and Festival of Trees, among others.
Following comments regarding her achievements, which included earning a master’s degree in college while working, caring for her family and serving many entities, Minich shared the most important aspect of her life.
“My greatest pride, however, is the success of my two children and two stepchildren,” she said. “Each of them … embrace the values I hold dear.”
Minich admitted that none of her accomplishments could have been achieved without the support of her husband, Dan.
“Dan is often my advisor, and my critic,” she said. “The leadership he provides me is the gift I share with others.”
For her part, Manion, a 2017 honor graduate and accomplished athlete of Bradford Area High School, said she was humbled to be in the company of the many accomplished female leaders in the audience. Manion, who has volunteered in the community, is working as a lifeguard at the Pennhills Club and a waitress at Beefeaters restaurant this summer. The recipient of several scholarships and awards, she plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh in Oakland in the fall to major in energy engineering.
Manion said her passions lie in the field of environmental science, and she hopes to design energy programs in the future that will sustain the environment. Manion developed a love of the environment after her family moved to Bradford when she was 6 years old.
One of her first experiences with nature involved a hike with her parents in a forested area. The trek involved a lot of stepping over branches and fallen trees.
When her parents later asked her what she thought of the outdoor experience, they were crestfallen when young Bryn screamed, “I hate nature!”
Fortunately for the family, the young girl eventually grew to love the outdoors and can now say with her “whole heart” that she loves nature and wants to protect it.
“There’s always work to be done and each generation has an obligation to utilize their time and talents to better the lives of those around them,” Manion said. “Because we take, we must give back.”
